Current Affairs - 26 September 2025

National Affairs

  • The Union Cabinet approved the ‘Capacity Building and Human Resource Development (CB&HRD)’ scheme with an outlay of Rs 2,277 crore. This scheme aims to support young researchers in STEMM (Science, Technology & Engineering, Medical, and Mathematical Sciences) sectors, guided by eminent scientists and professors.
  • The Cabinet approved Payment of Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) equivalent to wages of 78 days, amounting to Rs 1,865.68 crore, for 10.91 lakh non-gazetted railway employees to incentivize sector efficiency.
  • The Ministry of Labour & Employment signed an MoU with Zepto to enhance employment opportunities through the National Career Service (NCS) portal.
  • Union Minister Piyush Goyal inaugurated APEDA’s first regional office in Patna, Bihar, enhancing agricultural export facilitation.
  • Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT) was officially inaugurated by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi on 24 September 2025.
  • India and Australia signed a Mutual Recognition Arrangement for organic products, facilitating trade and certification acceptance between the countries.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched development projects worth over ₹1.22 lakh crore in Banswara, Rajasthan.
  • Indian Air Force and IIT Ropar signed an MoU for indigenous technology development in aerospace and defense sectors.

Appointments & Personnel

  • The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet extended the tenure of General Anil Chauhan as Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Secretary of the Defence Ministry until May 2026.
  • Kannada novelist and Padma awardee Dr. S. L. Bhyrappa passed away at the age of 94 in Bengaluru.

Science & Technology

  • Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Small Industries Development Board (SIDBI) conducted a successful test launch of the rail-based Agni-Prime missile from the Rail-Based Missile Launcher (RBML), marking a significant boost to India’s strategic deterrence.
  • Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) extended its partnership with Schneider Electric for space mission automation.

International Affairs

  • Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited Morocco from 22 to 23 September 2025, strengthening bilateral defense cooperation and strategic ties.
  • NIPL and Qatar National Bank rolled out UPI payment services for Indian travelers in Qatar, facilitating seamless digital payments abroad.

Banking & Economy

  • Reserve Bank of India renewed the Statement of Compliance (SoC) to the FX Global Code, enhancing market integrity.
  • SEBI raised the custodian net worth requirement to Rs 75 crore for better risk management in capital markets.
  • RBI allowed standalone traders to trade in Rupee in the Non-Deliverable Forward (NDF) market.

Environmental & Observances

  • World Environmental Health Day is celebrated annually on 26 September with the theme "Clean Air, Healthy People" focusing on air pollution and respiratory health.
  • First-ever spotting of the rare Red-necked Phalarope bird species was recorded at Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu.

Sports & Awards

  • India registered its first-ever international victory in the 2026 AFC Futsal Asian Cup qualifiers.